Alex Smith could be a step closer to getting his wish to be a starter.

Sunday night, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports tweeted that a trade for Smith was “effectively complete” though it would not be finalized until March 12 when the NFL year begins. Although Smith’s destination is unknown, it’s been speculated that Jacksonville and Kansas City are the favorites. The Jets are also searching for a starting quarterback or at least one to compete with Mark Sanchez, but salary cap restrictions make them unlikely to land Smith.

The Chiefs are in desperate need of a quarterback and new coach Andy Reid wouldn’t mind acquiring one before the NFL draft in April, in which the Chiefs own the first pick. Nick Foles, who Reid drafted in Philadelphia, is also a trade possibility for the Chiefs, but he may come at a higher price than Smith.

Matt Cassel threw six touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season and Brady Quinn threw two touchdowns and 10 picks for the Chiefs’ league-worst offense. The Chiefs ranked dead last in the league in passing yards per game and passing touchdowns on the season.

Smith, the former No. 1 pick in 2005, had nine starts this season throwing for over 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns, but a concussion sidelined him, and the team stuck with backup Colin Kaepernick even when Smith was cleared to play. He watched from the sidelines as the 49ers lost to the Ravens in the Super Bowl.

The 49ers are willing to deal Smith because of the emergence of Kaepernick and the price tag of Smith’s current contract ($7.5 million in 2013 plus a $1 million roster bonus). He signed a three-year $24 million deal in 2012 which lasts through the 2014 season.